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Engineering ServicesISCO 3111

Chromatographer

A chromatographer is a person who applies the appropriate chromatography techniques — gas, liquid or ion exchange — to identify and analyse the chemical compounds in a sample. The chromatographer calibrates and maintains the chromatography apparatus and prepares the equipment and the solutions it runs on.

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Rate 5 of the 32 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

perform laboratory tests

use chromatography software

handle chemicals

mix chemicals

contact scientists

About chromatographer

The separation is the whole idea of the method. A mixture is pushed through a medium that holds its components back by different amounts, and what comes out the far end arrives in order, which is what makes each compound measurable. The chromatographer performs liquid chromatography among other techniques, and the technique is chosen to suit the sample.

Preparation decides whether the result means anything. The chromatographer prepares the samples and the solutions, handles chemical substances properly, and works from laboratory techniques, laboratory sciences and chemical processes. A column contaminated by a badly prepared sample gives wrong answers for every run that follows it.

Two further parts of the role go beyond running an instrument. The chromatographer calibrates and maintains the apparatus, and may develop and apply new chromatography methods suited to samples and compounds that existing methods do not separate. Managing the chemical process inspections, performing chemical experiments and operating scientific measuring instruments complete the work, which sits between analytical chemistry and instrument engineering.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (32)

solid phase microextractionsolid phase microextractionSolvent-free sample extraction technique to concentrate and isolate analytes from a sample matrix. It uses a volume of sorbent dispersed on small fibre surfaces, following two different steps, an adso...chemical productschemical productsThe offered chemical products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.high-performance liquid chromatographyhigh-performance liquid chromatographyAnalytic chemistry technique used to identify and quantify the components of a mixture.chemical processeschemical processesThe relevant chemical processes used in manufacture, such as purification, seperation, emulgation and dispergation processing.oxidationoxidationOxidation and reduction are chemical processes characterised in terms of oxygen, hydrogen or electrons transfer that occurs during a reaction between a molecule, atom or ion.laboratory techniqueslaboratory techniquesTechniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.laboratory-based scienceslaboratory-based sciencesLaboratory based sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, integrated science or advanced laboratory science.gel permeation chromatographygel permeation chromatographyPolymer analysis technique which separates the analytes on the basis of their weight.health and safety regulationshealth and safety regulationsNecessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.perform laboratory testsperform laboratory testsCarry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.use chromatography softwareuse chromatography softwareUse the chromatography data system software which collects and analyses the chromatography detectors results.handle chemicalshandle chemicalsSafely handle industrial chemicals; use them efficiently and ensure that no harm is done to the environment.mix chemicalsmix chemicalsMix chemical substances safely according to recipe, using the proper dosages.contact scientistscontact scientistsListen, reply, and establish a fluid communication relationship with scientists in order to extrapolate their findings and information into a varied array of applications including business and indust...improve chemical processesimprove chemical processesCollect data required to make improvements or modifications to chemical processes. Develop new industrial processes, design new process plants/equipment or modify existing ones.transfer chemicalstransfer chemicalsTransfer the chemical mixture from the mixing tank to the storage tank by turning on the valves.perform chemical experimentsperform chemical experimentsPerform chemical experiments with the aim of testing various products and substances in order to draw conclusions in terms of product viability and replicability.manage chemical processes inspectionmanage chemical processes inspectionManage the chemical in-process inspection, making sure the inspection results are documented, the inspection procedures are well written and the checklists are updated.apply safety procedures in laboratoryapply safety procedures in laboratoryMake sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.document analysis resultsdocument analysis resultsDocument on paper or on electronic devices the process and the results of the samples analysis performed.apply scientific methodsapply scientific methodsApply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.calibrate laboratory equipmentcalibrate laboratory equipmentCalibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment....handling chemical products for soil and plantshandling chemical products for soil and plantsHandling chemical products for soil and plants includes cleaning the equipment used for spreading and spraying, mixing of chemicals, preparing pesticides and herbicides for spraying, preparing fertili...work with chemicalswork with chemicalsHandle chemicals and select specific ones for certain processes. Be aware of the reactions which arise from combining them.test chemical samplestest chemical samplesPerform the testing procedures on the already prepared chemical samples, by using the necessary equipment and materials. Chemical sample testing involves operations such as pipetting or diluting schem...manage chemical testing proceduresmanage chemical testing proceduresManage the procedures to be used in chemical testing by designing them and conducting tests accordingly.apply liquid chromatographyapply liquid chromatographyApply the knowledge of polymer characterization and liquid chromatography in the development of new products.use chemical analysis equipmentuse chemical analysis equipmentUse the laboratory equipment such as Atomic Absorption equimpent, PH and conductivity meters or salt spray chambre.operate scientific measuring equipmentoperate scientific measuring equipmentOperate devices, machinery, and equipment designed for scientific measurement. Scientific equipment consists of specialised measuring instruments refined to facilitate the acquisition of data.prepare chemical samplesprepare chemical samplesPrepare the specific samples such as gas, liquid or solid samples in order for them to be ready for analysis, labeling and storing samples according to specifications.monitor chemical process conditionmonitor chemical process conditionMonitor the conformity of the chemical process, checking all indicators or warning signals provided by the instruments such as recording instruments, flowmeters and panel lights.regulate chemical reactionregulate chemical reactionRegulate the reaction by adjusting the steam and coolant valves so that the reaction is within the specified limits for explosion prevention.
Optional (15) — show
project management principlesproject management principlesDifferent elements and phases of project management.computational chemistrycomputational chemistryThe branch of chemistry that aims at addressing complex chemical problems through computer simulations.mass spectrometrymass spectrometryMass spectrometry is the analytical technique that makes use of the measurements performed at gas-phase ions and the ratio mass-to-charge.keep up to date on product knowledgekeep up to date on product knowledgeGather the latest information on developments related to the existing or supported products, methods or techniques.create project specificationscreate project specificationsDefine the workplan, duration, deliverables, resources and procedures a project has to follow to achieve its goals. Describe project goals, outcomes, results and implementation scenarios.develop scientific theoriesdevelop scientific theoriesFormulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.develop scientific research protocolsdevelop scientific research protocolsDevelop and record the procedural method used for a specific scientific experiment in order to enable its replication.archive scientific documentationarchive scientific documentationStore documents such as protocols, analysis results and scientific data using archiving systems to enable scientists and engineers to take methods and results from previous studies into account for th...write scientific publicationswrite scientific publicationsPresent the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...assist scientific researchassist scientific researchAssist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.train employeestrain employeesLead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the perform...use microsoft officeuse microsoft officeUse the standard programs contained in Microsoft Office. Create a document and do basic formatting, insert page breaks, create headers or footers, and insert graphics, create automatically generated t...keep up-to-date with regulationskeep up-to-date with regulationsMaintain up-to-date knowledge of current regulations and apply this knowledge in specific sectors.maintain chromotography machinerymaintain chromotography machineryMaintain the machinery used in chromatographic methodologies by executing small repairs and escalating the problems that are related to the machinery manufacturer.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

chemistry technician20 shared essential skillschemist12 shared essential skillsanalytical chemist8 shared essential skillschemical processing supervisor8 shared essential skillsmedical laboratory assistant8 shared essential skillsscientific laboratory technician8 shared essential skillstoxicologist8 shared essential skillsbiochemist7 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a chromatographer do?

Chromatographers apply the corresponding chromatography techniques (such as gas, liquid or ion exchange techniques) to identify and analyse samples' chemical compounds. They calibrate and maintain the chromatography machinery and prepare the equipment and solutions. Chromatographers may also develop and apply new chromatography methods according to samples and chemical compounds that need to be analysed.

What skills does a chromatographer need?

A chromatographer needs 32 essential skills, including solid phase microextraction, chemical products, high-performance liquid chromatography, chemical processes, oxidation.

Will AI replace chromatographer jobs?

The AI disruption score for chromatographer is 41/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: archive scientific documentation, document analysis results, health and safety regulations. Most resilient: handle chemicals, solid phase microextraction, gel permeation chromatography.

Quick Facts

SectorEngineering Services
ISCO GroupScience and engineering associate professionals
Essential Skills32

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